The word Christian was first used to describe a follower of Jesus Christ at Antioch, in what is now modern day Turkey, noted in the book of Acts 11:26. This was really a nick name, actually a term of reproach hung on the disciples gathered there, because they were so distinct and peculiar in the eyes of the unbelievers living in the region. The term means little Christs, really a sort of put down, in terminology by the local populous. Now the word Christian is held as a banner over the moral creed followed by the Christian Church and its influence on society. The problem is, its become generic. I think Believer would be much more accurate for one who is born again; but of course the word Believer requires a refined and accurate definition in one's mind and the ability to explain what one believes and why when inquired of; unlike the word Christian, which is simply usually accepted by the world without the need for qualification or explanation.
Another overused word, I think, used to describe today's Christian seeker, most often a student of the Word is disciple, which as far as I can discern is a word used only in the the synoptic Gospels and Acts, which were written, in the case of the Gospels, and partly in Acts about and for the most part regarding pre-Christianity, and certainly none in that dispensation knew, they were of a heavenly nature in Christ until much later by Paul's revelations. A disciple was then a man who followed Jesus, a mere follower does not do justice to a Believer in my mind; any one may follow, but fewer will truly Believe; as many of Christ disciples deserted Him as troubles grew. In fact much more was yet to be shown as to truth and commitment to the remaining disciples/believers by what became known of Jesus from Paul, as to what He represents in God's estimation; all of which took place after the Gospel synoptic story, the Ascension being the final chapter for His disciples, but just the beginning for the Believer; with so much more to be reveled by the New Testament writers. Beside who in the pre- Resurrection, pre- Pentecost days, let alone later Believers could ever possibly live up to Jesus' definition of a disciple: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and sisters, yes and his own life also he cannot be My disciple, And who ever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" Luke 14:26, 27. We in these days and they in pre-Cross times simply did not, and do not qualify under these which are earthly terms and conditions; especially and if we do not see them as descriptive of the termination of our old natures [as the disciples could not] by Christ's action on the Cross, which the disciples or followers had no possible understanding of as their view was only earthly, or known in their natural flesh understanding, for they had not yet received the Holy Spirit, who reveled the heavenly nature of a Believer only later. We now have The Spirit reveling the mind of Christ in us. We today as Believers can know who and what we are. Where we belong. And now we must ask, who's side are we on?
Many Christians stand on their side only of the offering of the sacrifice; in other words, they see Christ sacrifice as their offering to the Father; He has accomplished much for us and that is where we rest, which is called justification, and is a good place to be, but there is so much more. As the Jews brought the offering to the alter, and therefore from their view or side they were made right. Now we likewise, even though aware by faith, of all being accomplished by Him on the Cross, still persist in going to Him with mans side alone presented, or occupied primarily with ourselves. We were not the one offended, it was God who was offended by our sin, so really it is not our feelings to be considered but God's. How many think of their belief in this way?Ask yourself this question: if from God's point of view He thought of you in a certain way, as to relationship, but you had no awareness of it, would it be of any practical value to you? I am quite certain the answer is no! Then ask yourself if it is possible that much of what I know, seen from my side of the relationship with God is limited, and therefore so is my worship and faith; because of a lack of appreciation and knowledge of The Fathers estimation of me seen in His Son? In other words do I have anything to learn beyond a self centered form of Christianity? Do I believe the Words of the Bible when they say, "we are being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ" and that we are in fact seen in that form according to The Word, in our spirit, by God the moment we first believe? And if we can answer yes to that because the bible says so, but cannot apply or appropriate this true truth in our minds perception of our self, which can only be seen as a position in heaven held by faith, then perhaps we should consider more deeply probing the side we are on, to see the alternative provided Believers by God's Grace, in His Son from His side.
I choose to digress slightly here, to expose the self centered side I often seem to find myself on; as it is my privilege as a blog writer to make expression as it pleases me. I wish to thank you, in advance, for your indulgence. The other day my side was brought into a new light by a beautiful messenger of God, who helped me realize, in her godly and gentle way, the depth of my critical spirit. I am so grateful God has brought such a one as she into my life, even if bearing fruit which opened a humbling door to my nature. I now can see I owe you my dear readers and fellow seekers for truth a sincere apology. I have been overtly judgmental and especially attacking, applying my own view of perceived weakness and my personal opinion, of supposed charter defects, of God's Church and His children, taking on a sarcastic overtone in my writing regarding them. Please my friends from the bottom of my heart I ask forgiveness! I will in further installments seek to concentrate only on gaining the knowledge of God, His word, and our mutual hope for growth into the life of Christ; leaving the foibles and triumphs of the human condition in the Church to be made obvious to us on their own merits, both good and poor.
Lets now get back to the side we must seek, God's. We all know that God saved us by the Blood of His son and our faith in that fact. And that Christ died unto our sin nature. We find much relief in that. But what about God's feelings His side? Our sin created a distance from God, which was removed, by His motivation and for His relief, and His love for mankind and the world. The distance or gulf was removed by that love, He was the first to be relieved, and that by the Man who was the only focus of His attention "not us" but His Son. His grace begun with His Son. Most of us are living in a place of such comfort that we have salvation, our side, that we seldom consider that all that we have was because the estrangement of man, from God was taken away by the judgement of our offence in the Crucified Man Jesus Christ and from God's perspective all has been removed, but it was His sacrifice, He suffered loss, " therefore now there is no condemnation" and all of that was accomplished from God's side, in order for Him to be able to accept us. All we need do now is rest in the representative work done by Him. We have nothing to offer from our side, it has all been done for us. We may have solid peace and rest if we find ourselves knowing and growing in this truth from God's view outward toward us. The alternative side, which is the position we actually occupy.
When we look to God we are to see everything accomplished to His complete satisfaction. But when we look at ourselves we find we still have sin. Well which side do you want to live on? Freedom from our place in His Son, or a constant awareness of weakness from ours? We have been given the power to choose. And who do we choose by? The place provided by Him; He has exchanged us, from His side, and now sees you with Him in Glory in His Son, our heavenly position, this is His only view of us. It is no longer Adam but Christ. The view is no longer us looking up to God, with a grateful offering, although we are grateful beyond measure. We may now look down from His Glory for that is where we reside, on His side.
Ask yourself this question. Can you discern the difference between your union in Adam and your union in Christ? You will never know and live in the freedom that you have died to sin until you effected a change in your mind set from Adam to Christ. You can never rise up to how you are seen before the Father, in His Son until you perceive the terms he has established from His side, by which He has accepted you. The Father has brought you to Himself, this is the true beginning. We must see this by being occupied only with the object in which the Father sees us, Jesus Christ. We live by the spirit in a heavenly place by God's will for us: "Hid with Christ in God". Much thanks goes to J.B. Stoney for inspiration on this a complex subject; a concept which Paul held dear, and a basic truth Paul strives to convey to his readers, in the reveled Word. Lets go there and meditate upon He in whom we dwell, where we will find our side
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